Why Pride Matters

What We Do and How We Do It.

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Macclesfield Pride is a charity organisation run by diverse people for LGBT+ people living in the Macclesfield and surrounding area. We work closely with friends, family and allies who also wish to achieve equality for all. We are committed to celebrating the diversity of the LGBT+ sector through inspirational and fun events. Our main activities include: community events, networking, LGBT+ history and heritage activities, volunteering activities and community integration projects.

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The charity ensures that the rights and interests of LGBT+ people are represented in Macclesfield and we do this by offering support in the following areas:

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Opposing Hate Crime

Promoting Health and Wellbeing

Trans education and support

Bisexual education and support

Youth and Schools Outreach

Reaching out to older people

International awareness

Training and education

Fundraising and Social Events

Macclesfield Pride is open to anyone regardless of gender, age, disability, race, religion or orientation. We are and will remain active in consultation with Cheshire East Local Authority and the Macclesfield Town Council, in driving changes and improvements for equality within the local community and will strive to ensure that Macclesfield is a diverse welcoming town to people of the LGBT+ community.

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In order to support the ongoing hard work the charity does, we have structured the forum in such a way that allows more work to be done with local communities and the appointment of development teams was agreed at the AGM in September 2018. A dedicated network of volunteers also supports the operational team behind the charity to help us deliver our charitable and community objectives throughout the year.

We believe that inclusiveness and acceptance improves self-esteem and provides a sense of belonging, which helps to diminish the psychological effects of discrimination faced by individuals in daily life. The sense of belonging is a powerful thing because it means that you are not alone and that others have overcome some of the struggle. Connecting to community can help to overcome feelings of rejection and isolation no matter what your age. Community manifests itself in gay neighbourhoods, LGBT+ community centres, hubs, pubs, cafés and organisations fighting for LGBT+ equality and working to assure the wellbeing of LGBT+ people. It also manifests itself in friendships and social relationships. Creating community can be hard work, it can involve raising money to hold events, taking bold steps to ensure LGBT+ people are not bullied, or even going up to someone who doesn’t know anyone and making them feel welcome. Our charity does this hard work every day, and for this we have much to be proud.

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Our main MaccPride event is a defining moment in the Macclesfield calendar, where the whole town and surrounding areas are invited to support and stand alongside the LGBT+ community. People interact with each other and the community comes together; this is good for the town and surrounding businesses. We believe that the work we do keeps people safe by reducing issues of isolation and suicidal distress, and changes the minds and hearts of those who previously reacted out of fear and ignorance.